React vs Node JS: What Is The Difference?

If ever a list of current hottest technologies or frameworks is made, both React.js and Node.js would surely be a part of it. Both these javascript based technologies have been two of the most in-demand technologies in the IT industry globally. While Node.js and React.js are JavaScript technologies, yet both of them are entirely different from each other. The major difference between Node.js and React.js is, Node.js is a back-end framework whereas React is used for developing frontend user interfaces. 

So, if you wanna find out the one you should prefer for your next JavaScript project, carry on. In your pursuit of React.js vs Node.js comparison, we have made it easier for you to make the correct choice for building your web application.

React.js and Node.js

Here’s everything you need to know about the two buzzing Javascript technologies.

React.js

React (also known as React.js or ReactJS) is an open-source front-end JavaScript library that facilitates building interactive user interfaces. It can also be used as a base on the development of single-page or mobile applications. React.js allows the development of a dynamic library with high performance. For instance, this technology is used to show newsfeed while people are chatting. 

Who uses React.js?

Brainchild of the Facebook team, React is used for everything from content-based websites like The New York Times to apps like Twitter. Apparently, Facebook relies heavily on user interaction with website elements. Thus, almost all dynamic elements of a Facebook web app are built with React.js. Instagram, Netflix, Google Maps are a few more examples of top brands using React.js as their preferred frontend framework. 

Features 

• React uses Virtual DOM (document object model), which enhances app performance to a great extent.
• It allows easy maintenance by reusing system components.
• By using only downward data flow, React guarantees code stability and better app performance. 
• Allows you to build a rich UI for native apps supported by both iOS and Android platforms.
• It ensures high performance by providing developers with debugging and design tools.

Node.js

Node.js is a technology that helps to build the back-end of applications with JavaScript. Interestingly, Node.js is powered by Google Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine. Node.js is effective and lightweight because it uses an event-driven and non-blocking I/O model. Developers prefer Node.js for hosting APIs, serving HTTP requests, and accessing the database. 

Who uses Node.js?

Netflix, Trello, and Uber are a few esteemed companies that are bound to Node.js for their development needs. So, here are all the reasons why such giant companies prefer Node.js over other frameworks. 

Netflix, the leader of online video streaming, conducts A/B testing to provide 93 million users with a rich experience. The platform faces problems of conditional dependencies and app scalability. To solve these issues, the company has chosen Node.js for its fast speed and that it’s lightweight. In this way, Netflix has managed to decrease startup time by 70%.

Features

• Node.js is a free and open-source framework.
• Developers can perform non-blocking operations, which enhances web app performance.
• Node.js has unit testing called Jasmine, which allows testing ready code quickly.
• Node has in-built APIs. Consequently, Node.js allows developers to make different servers like DNS servers, TCP server, HTTP server, and more.
• Apps built with Node.js can be scaled in both a Vertical and Horizontal way to improvise their performance.

React.js vs Node.js – The Ultimate Battle

EndNote

Comparing React with Node is like comparing apples to oranges. While one is a library that deals with the frontend, the other is a core library for backend development. Both are modern technologies applied by many successful businesses. So, if you want to create a sophisticated yet scalable server-side web application, like an online streaming platform, your choice is Node.js. To create a project with changing states, like dynamic inputs, buttons, and so on, React.js is your perfect match. However, you can use both technologies for your web app. You can create the front-end of the web app with React and the back-end with Node js, as Netflix did.